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With a few days to go before the start of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, Lebanon sent a strong message with a commanding 4-0 victory over East Timor in a friendly match in Doha. This convincing performance allows Miodrag Radulović’s men to approach their qualification campaign with confidence.

Less than a week before the third-round qualification match for the 2027 Asian Cup, Lebanon successfully wrapped up its final test by defeating East Timor 4-0 in a friendly on Thursday night at Al-Khor Club in Doha. This convincing victory allowed head coach Miodrag Radulović to assess his squad and refine his selections ahead of the crucial clash against Brunei next Tuesday.

A Frustrating First Half Despite Dominance

Before kickoff, a ceremony was held to honor Lebanon’s captain, Mohammad Haidar, for reaching 100 international caps, a milestone he achieved last December against Kuwait. It was a well-deserved recognition for a key figure in Lebanese football.

From the opening minutes, Lebanon asserted its intentions with high pressing and quick play on the wings. However, despite its clear dominance, the first half ended in a goalless draw. The main culprits were a lack of clinical finishing and an outstanding performance by East Timor’s goalkeeper. In the 12^th minute, Malek Fakhro thought he had opened the scoring, but his goal was disallowed for offside.

Faced with a compact and aggressive defense, Radulović’s men struggled to break through, despite repeated attacking efforts from Karim Darwich and Omar Chaaban.

An Offensive Explosion After the Break

At halftime, the Montenegrin coach made eight substitutions, injecting fresh energy into the attack—a decision that quickly paid off. The deadlock was finally broken in the 57^th minute when East Timor’s goalkeeper made a poor clearance, allowing Majed Osman to intercept and score into an empty net, giving Lebanon the lead.

Freed by this breakthrough, Lebanon quickly built on the momentum, scoring three more goals in the span of seven minutes. Defender Pedro Budib, making his international debut, showcased his aerial strength to double the lead. After a pinpoint cross from Haidar, Sami Merhej’s header struck the crossbar, but Budib was well-positioned to head in the rebound.

Moments later, Budib played a key role in the third goal, delivering a brilliant long pass to Merhej, who dribbled past the defense and finished with a precise strike in the 89^th minute. Merhej then secured his brace in stoppage time, tapping in a perfect cross from Mohamad Safwan (90+2’), bringing his international goal tally to five.

Confidence Boost Ahead of Brunei

This victory, coupled with a strong collective performance, provides Lebanon with a major confidence boost before facing a tougher opponent in Brunei. While the challenge will be different, this match gave Radulović valuable insights into his squad’s form.

With a balanced mix of experienced players and emerging talents, Lebanon appears well-prepared to begin its qualification campaign on the right foot. The real test comes on Tuesday at Al-Wakrah Stadium.